Hayao Miyazaki to Attend Comic Con

Mike Ferreira (Editor) — June 28th, 2009 — 11:35
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The Los Angeles Times reports that Hayao Miyazaki will make an appearance at Comic Con International. At the convention, he will present clips from Ponyo (Ponyo On The Cliff By The Sea), his latest film.

Miyazaki will travel to the University of California, Berkeley, on July 25. At the university, he will accept the second annual Berkeley Japan Prize and participate in a moderated dialogue. Miyazaki will make a final stop the on July 28, when he will visit the headquarters of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for a tribute event.

Hayao Miyazaki is a co-founder of Studio Ghibli. He directed a number of highly-regarded films, including My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away. His latest film, Ponyo, opened in Japan on July 19, 2008. The film won five awards at the 8th annual Tokyo Anime Awards, including Anime of the Year.

Disney is producing the English adaptation of Ponyo. For the dub, they commissioned a star-studded cast, which includes the following actors:

  • Noah Cyrus (Hannah Montana) as Ponyo
  • Cate Blanchett (The Lord of the Rings, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) as Ponyo's mother
  • Liam Neeson (Schindler's List, Taken) as Ponyo's father
  • Frankie Jonas as Sosuke
  • Tina Fey (Upright Citizens Brigade, 30 Rock) as Sosuke's mother
  • Matt Damon (The Departed, Good Will Hunting) as Sosuke's father

Ponyo will open in American theaters on August 14.

Comic Con International will be held from July 23-26 at the San Diego Convention Center.